John Swift set for return – West Brom predicted XI v Rotherham
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan looks set to recall Tom Fellows and John Swift to his starting lineup as the Baggies host relegated Rotherham United on Tuesday, 9 April.
The 20-year-old academy product has burst onto the scene as a regular in Corberan’s side this season but was dropped for West Brom’s 2-2 draw with Stoke on April 6 and only came on for striker Brandon Thomas-Asante in the 87th minute.
Swift, meanwhile, played no part whatsoever against the Potters but will fancy his chances of making an impact against the Championship’s bottom side, whose demotion to League One was confirmed by their 1-0 loss to Plymouth on April 5.
Chopping and changing in the front four has been Corberan’s policy for the past few matches as the climax of the season, and a near-certain play-off campaign looms for the Baggies.
Alex Palmer continued his impressive campaign between the sticks for the most part against Stoke, making a first-half stop from Ryan Mmaee and saving Andre Vidigal’s initial penalty attempt, but was unable to prevent the winger from tucking home the rebound as Albion surrendered a 2-0 lead late on.
Even the return of Cedric Kipre couldn’t prevent the West Brom defence from shipping two second-half goals, with the Ivorian expected to keep his place alongside Darnell Furlong, Kyle Bartley and Conor Townsend in an unchanged back four.
Mikey Johnston could be key as Corberan mixes attacking options
With the expected return of Swift and Fellows into West Brom’s front four, boss Corberan is expected to make further rotations in order to keep his side ticking over and creating plenty of chances in the final third.
Grady Diangana is expected to drop out having been outshone by goal-scorers Jed Wallace and Mikey Johnston against Stoke, with Swift likely to slot straight into the Congolese playmaker’s number 10 role.
Fellows will also come in for Thomas-Asante after the striker cut an isolated figure for most of the Baggies’ clash with Stoke, but despite playing in that position for his late cameo, we’re predicting he’ll operate off the left flank against the Millers.
Mikey Johnston has netted seven goals in just 13 West Brom appearances since arriving on loan from Celtic in January, and Corberan may shift him into a lead striker role to capitalise on that sensational form.
Usually, a winger, Johnston’s link-up play, pace and running in behind defences have made him an instant fan favourite at the Hawthorns, and while he may switch with Fellows throughout the 90 minutes, he’s got all it takes to prove an effective number nine.
Wallace has featured more often than anyone else in the attacking positions for West Brom this season, and he’s expected to continue on the right-hand side having captained the Baggies against Stoke last weekend.
Lastly, Alex Mowatt and Okay Yokuslu will continue their long-term partnership at the base of Albion’s midfield, despite both being substituted in the second half of West Brom’s 2-2 draw last time out.
In other West Brom news, club legend Tony Brown slammed the Baggies following their second-half collapse against Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium.
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